Buyers Guide for Skoda

Skoda has by far been one of the most successful automobile brands in India, even though it has met with many criticisms. One of such all time famous criticism is that the Skoda company has a real bad after sale service. As I said earlier even after such heavy criticism the company has managed to do well in the market. It has been possible only because of the various excellent vehicles this company has delivered over the years. This company was established in India in the year 2001. Their first offering, Skoda Octavia was also their first runaway success. The pricing strategy that the company had adopted at that time made it possible. Also this company has been famous to lure customers with their amazing offers and marketing techniques. But this is not what makes this company so big, it is its vehicles which have managed to create its say in the market and that is the topic for today.

Skoda Fabia

Ok. So what is Skoda Fabia? Skoda Fabia is a confused soul who is confused about its own identity. Yes, there has always been a problem attached with Skoda Fabia in the Indian automobile market. It was hatch back with distinct features for sure but people were still not ready to pay such price for hatchbacks. So, recently the company decided to cut the price in order to make it more affordable. Anyways, this car is well built with features that can give run for their money to even some of the sedans available in India. Ride quality of this car is amazing, space is indeed good when compared to any other hatchbacks available in India. This car is available in three engine options where two are the petrol variants and one is the diesel variant. With the new improved price and marketing strategy it seems that Skoda Fabia will be one of the bestseller under its category.

Engine Options:
1198cc\ 1199cc (diesel)\ 1598cc

Powertrain:
5 speed manual

Power:
75 Bhp @3700 rpm\ 70 Bhp @4000 rpm\ 105 Bhp @5250 rpm

Torque:
11.3 Kgm @3800 rpm\ 18 Kgm @3800 rpm\ 15.6 Kgm @3800 rpm

Thumbs Up:
Space and ride quality

Thumbs Down:
Price and the under powered engine

Head on Competitors:
Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20 and Volkswagen Polo

The Catch:
Rs 5.1 lakhs to 6.2 lakhs

Skoda Laura

For quite a while Skoda Laura had created a monopoly of its own under its segment. Reason was very clear that Skoda Laura is the only car in this category which is available in a diesel option and not just any diesel option it’s the power pack 2.0 litre diesel engine. This engine is mated with either the 6 speed manual or automatic transmission. Besides the diesel engine, this car is also available in 1.8 litre petrol engine. Both the engines perform exceptionally well. Skoda Laura in looks is quite similar to Skoda Superb. The interiors of this car are class apart. As far as the comfort of one and all is concerned, with the awesome ride quality this car is also available with the various comfort features. I know there is a tough competition between Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta and Honda Civic but according to me the clear winner is  Skoda Laura.

Engine Options:
1798cc\ 1968cc\ 1968cc (AT)

Powertrain:
6 speed manual\ 5 speed manual\ 6 speed automatic

Power:
158.5 Bhp @4500 rpm\ 110 Bhp @4200 rpm\ 138.5 Bhp @4000 rpm

Torque:
25.3 Kgm @1500 rpm\ 25.3 Kgm @1500 rpm\ 32.5 Kgm @2500 rpm

Thumbs Up:
Engine performance and ride quality

Thumbs Down:
Uncomfortable rear seats.

Head on Competitors:
Volkswagen Jetta, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla Altis

The Catch:
Rs 13.1 lakhs to Rs 17 lakhs

Skoda Yeti

This four wheel drive and five seater all new SUV has managed to grab enough eyeballs to rack up the bookings for it. When I first heard the name I was expecting a big and muscular SUV but then I came to know that it is one of the compact SUV’s available in town, so I think they could have done much better to find a suitable name which lives up to its identity. Anyways, this SUV looks simply beautiful with its finely crafted compact body. Though the aggressive looks are missing but still this SUV manages to grab enough attention. This SUV is designed on the same platform as that of Skoda Laura, so as an effect, this SUV is also blessed with the same diesel engine. The off road ability of this vehicle is really good and also the ride quality. What I sorely missed in this SUV is the automatic transmission option. Also the seven seating arrangement if available, will boost its sales prospects even more.

Engine Options:
1968cc

Powertrain:
6 speed manual

Power:
140 Bhp @4200 rpm

Torque:
32.7 Kgm @2500 rpm

Thumbs Up:
Performance and handling

Thumbs Down:
Seating option and the unimposing stance.

Head on Competitors:
Tata Aria, Premier Rio

The Catch:
Rs 15.1 lakhs to Rs 17.1 lakhs

Skoda Superb

Ok what will you get if we add, the space of Mercedes S Class, features of Mercedes E Class and a reasonable price against it? The answer is Skoda Superb. The looks of this car is simply elegant and upmarket. This car is available in three engine options. All the three engines deliver excellent performance especially the V6 engine with all wheel drive option. The overall performance of this car is again amazing. Besides the ride quality of this car is really good and to add to that this car is available with a comfortable seating option with lots of space. It won’t be wrong to say that this car has been truly christened according to its performance or rather I should say that this car truly lives upto its name.

Engine Options:
1798cc\ 1968cc\ 3598cc

Powertrain:
6 speed DSG\ 6 speed automatic

Power:
158.5 Bhp @4500 rpm\ 138.5 Bhp @4000 rpm\ 258 Bhp @6000 rpm

Torque:
25.3 Kgm @1500 rpm\ 32.3 Kgm @1750 rpm\ 35.3 Kgm @2500 rpm

Thumbs Up:
Performance of all three engines, ride quality and handling.

Thumbs Down:
After sales service

Head on Competitors:
Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat and Nissan Teana

The Catch:
Rs 18 lakhs to Rs 26.8 lakhs